The Steeldive SD1970 is a highly regarded affordable dive watch that has earned a loyal following among enthusiasts seeking a faithful homage to the iconic Seiko 6105. In this in-depth Steeldive SD1970 review, we’ll explore why this model — also popularly known as the Steeldive Turtle or the Steeldive Captain Willard — stands out in the crowded field of budget divers. With its cushion-shaped case, solid build quality, reliable Seiko NH35 movement, and vintage-inspired charm, the SD1970 offers exceptional value for money. Whether you’re considering it as a daily beater, a first mechanical watch, or simply drawn to its classic military styling, this review covers everything you need to know.
Overview
The Steeldive SD1970, often referred to as the “Captain Willard homage,” takes its design cues from the iconic Seiko 6105 (aka the Seiko Turtle) – a watch made famous by its military connections and cinematic appearance on the wrist of Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now. Steeldive’s version is a faithful reinterpretation, offered at a budget-friendly price point while retaining many of the core characteristics that made the original so popular. This watch aims to combine heritage-inspired styling with practical diving features, making it an appealing choice for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Case and Build Quality
The SD1970 features a 43.5 mm cushion-style stainless steel case with a modest 13 mm thickness, which helps it wear more comfortably than the dimensions might suggest. The case finish is a mix of brushed and polished surfaces, which adds some visual interest, though a fully brushed finish might have been more in keeping with its tool-watch roots. The screw-down crown is signed and well-machined, although rethreading it can occasionally require a bit of care due to the prominent crown guards. The overall construction feels solid, and the watch has a reassuring weight on the wrist, particularly when worn on the included steel bracelet.
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Want to Buy one
For the very best price – please consider purchasing this watch from AliExpress – that’s where we bough this review model. Click the button below to visit the AliExpress – Steeldive Official – your watch will arrive in less than two weeks at half the price sold elsewhere. This is how I buy all my watches for review.
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Movement and Accuracy
Inside the SD1970 is the Seiko NH35 automatic movement, a widely used and well-regarded calibre within the microbrand space. This movement beats at 21,600vph (3Hz) and offers a 41-hour power reserve, along with hacking and hand-winding functions. With 24 jewels, it is built to be both reliable and easy to service. Real-world accuracy can vary slightly from piece to piece, but many users report performance well within the stated range of -20 to +40 seconds per day. In some cases, individual watches have been known to run with impressive consistency at just a second or two off per day.
Video Review – 8 mins
Diving Features
The SD1970 carries a 200-metre water resistance rating, which is more than sufficient for recreational diving and water sports. The 120-click unidirectional bezel features a fully lumed ceramic insert and is praised for its smooth, confident action with minimal backplay. This makes it functional not just for diving, but for general timing duties as well. The screw-down case back is simple in its decoration, with a lightly etched Steeldive logo and some basic specs – subtle, and in keeping with the utilitarian nature of the design.
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Lume and Dial Legibility
Lume performance on the SD1970 is good, though slightly uneven. The watch uses a combination of BGW9 and C3 Super-LumiNova, with the bezel and indices showing strong and lasting glow. However, the hands may not always match that intensity, leading to a slight imbalance in visibility under low-light conditions. The dial itself is clean and well-proportioned, with applied indices, legible printing, and a framed date window at the 3 o’clock position. The seconds hand features a two-tone paddle design with a luminous tip, adding a touch of character without compromising readability.
Why Steeldive Captain Willard?
The Steeldive SD1970 is often referred to as the “Steeldive Captain Willard” because it is a homage to the Seiko 6105-8110, the iconic dive watch famously worn by Captain Benjamin L. Willard, played by Martin Sheen in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now. In the movie, Sheen’s character wears the Seiko 6105 throughout his journey into the Cambodian jungle, and the watch became widely associated with him and the gritty, rugged realism of the film.
Collectors and enthusiasts began referring to the original Seiko 6105 as the “Captain Willard,” and that nickname carried over to homage models like the SD1970 due to their similar case shape, crown placement at 4 o’clock, and vintage dive watch aesthetic. Steeldive embraced this legacy by faithfully recreating the design with modern updates, making the SD1970 a popular and affordable alternative for fans of the classic Seiko and the film.
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Strap and Wearability
The SD1970 ships with a 20 mm stainless steel bracelet, complete with solid end links and push pins for sizing. While the bracelet is functional and better than expected at this price point, many owners opt to swap it for a rubber strap to reduce weight and enhance comfort. The watch’s proportions and cushion case allow it to sit well on a range of wrist sizes, and the short lug-to-lug distance helps make it more wearable than its diameter alone might suggest. On the whole, it’s a practical daily wearer with enough vintage styling to make it visually interesting.
Technical Specifications
- Movement: Seiko NH35A automatic (self-winding with hacking and hand-winding)
- Case Diameter: 44mm (excluding crown)
- Case Thickness: Approx. 13.5mm
- Lug-to-Lug: Approx. 48mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: 316L stainless steel
- Crystal: Flat sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Bezel: Unidirectional 120-click rotating bezel with ceramic insert
- Water Resistance: 200 metres / 20 ATM
- Dial: Luminous markers with BGW9 Super-LumiNova
- Strap/Bracelet: Solid stainless steel bracelet with screw links and folding clasp
- Crown: Screw-down crown
- Caseback: Screw-down, engraved
- Other Features: Date display, link removal tool included
Conclusion
The Steeldive SD1970 offers excellent value for money, delivering a well-executed homage to a classic diver at a price that makes it accessible to a wide audience. With a reliable NH35 movement, ceramic bezel, sapphire crystal, and 200 metres of water resistance, it checks many of the boxes that enthusiasts look for in a modern tool watch. While it may not be flawless – with lume consistency and crown usability being minor points of contention – it delivers far more than its price would suggest. For fans of the original Seiko 6105 or anyone in search of a dependable, heritage-inspired diver, the SD1970 is an easy recommendation.
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